INDI Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is INDI?
Q: What devices does KStars support?
Q: Do you plan to support more devices?
Q: I don't have a serial port, how can I connect to the telescope?
Q: When I try to Connect, KStars reports that the telescope is not connected to the serial/USB port. What can I do?
Q: KStars reports that the telescope is online and ready, but I can't find the telescope's crosshair, where is it?
Q: The telescope is moving erratically or not moving at all. What can I do?
Q:

What is INDI?

A:

INDI is the Instrument-Neutral-Distributed-Interface control protocol developed by Elwood C. Downey of ClearSky Institute. KStars employs device drivers that are compatible with the INDI protocol. INDI has many advantages including loose coupling between hardware devices and software drivers. Clients that use the device drivers (like KStars) are completely unaware of the device capabilities. In run time, KStars communicates with the device drivers and builds a completely dynamical GUI based on services provided by the device. Therefore, new device drivers can be written or updated and KStars can take full advantage of them without any changes on the client side.

Q:

What devices does KStars support?

A:

Currently, KStars supports LX200 Classic, LX200 Autostar, LX200 GPS, LX200 16", and Celestron GPS.

Q:

Do you plan to support more devices?

A:

Yes. We plan to support major CCD cameras and focusers and extend support for more telescopes. If you'd like INDI to support a particular device, please send an email to <indi-devel@lists.sourceforge.net>

Q:

I don't have a serial port, how can I connect to the telescope?

A:

Many modern laptops do not have a serial port. You will need a Serial To USB adapter that is supported under Linux. For example, Keyspan™'s USA-19QW Serial to USB adapter is well supported under Linux and had been tested with KStars. You need to refer to your adapter's documentation to find which ports they provide (e.g. /dev/ttyUSB0 .... /dev/ttyUSB9).

Q:

When I try to Connect, KStars reports that the telescope is not connected to the serial/USB port. What can I do?

A:

This message is triggered when KStars cannot communicate with the telescope. Here are few things you can do:

  1. Check the connection cable, make sure it is in good condition and test it with other applications.

  2. Check your telescope power, make sure the power is on and that the telescope is getting enough power.

  3. Set the correct port in the INDI Control Panel under the Devices menu. The default port is /dev/ttyS0

  4. Restart KStars and retry again.

Q:

KStars reports that the telescope is online and ready, but I can't find the telescope's crosshair, where is it?

A:

KStars retrieves the telescopes RA and DEC coordinates upon connection. If your alignment was performed correctly, then you should see the crosshair around your target in the Sky Map. However, the RA and DEC coordinates provided by the telescope may be incorrect (even below the horizon) and you need to Sync your telescope to your current target.

Q:

The telescope is moving erratically or not moving at all. What can I do?

A:

This behavior is mostly due to incorrect settings, please verify the following check list:

  1. Is the telescope aligned?

  2. Is the telescope alignment mode correct? Use INDI Control Panel to check and change these settings (Alt/Az,Polar, Land).

  3. Are the telescope's time and date settings correct?

  4. Are the telescope's longitude and latitude settings correct?

  5. Is the telescope's UTC offset correct?

  6. Are the telescope's RA and DEC axis locked firmly?

  7. Is the telescope's N/S switch (when applicable) setup correctly for your hemisphere?

  8. Is the cable between the telescope and computer in good condition?

If you think all settings are correct but the telescope still moves erratically or not at all, then please send a report to <kstars-devel@kde.org>